The consensus in the hockey world at the moment is that Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin will not be moved before this year’s February 27 trade deadline. Nor is he being shopped, says Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
The reasons, as Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal points out, are two-fold. After a 7-0-2 start, the 39-year-old has struggled to maintain a level of play that would show playoff-bound teams he would be a useful acquisition. Secondly, he carries a $3.75 million cap hit for this season and next.
The SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker panel also added (see video above) that there is a limited market for goaltenders, with perhaps the Chicago Blackhawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs being among a short list of teams looking for help between the pipes. Garrioch adds the Tampa Bay Lighting as another potential suitor, who may be interested in re-acquiring Khabibulin.
Still, the Oilers will listen to offers for their netminder if they are pre...
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